Page 17 of In Love with My Secret Husband

“Why?”

“I miss working.”

“Is that so?”

She could only blink. Was it just her or was he insinuating something?

“I really do,” Laina said finally. “I’ve always loved my job and the kids.”

“Love’s a pretty strong word.”

Why had a muscle start ticking in his jaw while saying that?

“Are you sure those are the only things you love about your job?”

Laina could only look at him helplessly. “What are you really asking?”

I’m asking if you’re attracted to another man, and I’m asking if that man is the reason you want to go back to work.

That was what he wanted to say.

But he couldn’t.

“Do whatever you want,” he said curtly. “Burton’s men will keep you safe.”

“But—”

“They’re non-negotiable. For as long as the divorce hasn’t been finalized, you’re still my wife. It’s my responsibility to keep anyone from bothering you.”

Laina forced herself to nod. “I understand.” She quickly turned away while fighting back tears.

There it was then.

She wasn’t here because he wanted her close.

The fact that he had stopped asking her to spend time with him was already a clue.

Laina was only her because he saw her as his responsibility.

ON THE DAY BEFORE LAINAwas scheduled to go back to work, Troy decided to pay the school a little visit. But instead of going inside, he stayed in the parking lot, right next to his car. He only had one goal in mind coming here, and it simply required him to bide his time, just waiting until...finally.

It was Mr. Oscar Baldwin himself coming out of the school.

The man’s smile faded upon seeing Troy.

That’s right, Baldwin.

I’m the man Laina married.

And I’m not letting go of my wife.

Oscar’s face started losing color as he slowly backed away.

Mission accomplished.

A LOT OF THINGS HADchanged by the time Laina came back to work. The kids were sweet and precocious like usual, but her coworkers, though, and even her own boss, the school principal...

She had always wondered if how people treated her would change, once they knew she was Troy Barrymore’s wife, and she now had her answer.